Pune University: Sita Smokes And Abuses In Play; Police Arrests Professor And 5 Students

The play by the Lalit Kala Kendra where the character of Sita, portrayed by a male artiste, was seen smoking and abusing, was based on the backstage banter of actors who perform various roles in 'Ramleela'.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 3 February 2024 9:14 pm

Visual from a play at Pune University where Sita was shown smoking a cigarette Photo: x/ @erbmjha

Police arrested a professor and five students of the Savitribai Phule Pune University on Saturday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by staging a play based on 'Ramleela' where a male artiste portraying Sita was shown smoking a cigarette and using abusive language.

Savitribai Phule Pune University portrays Mata Sita smoking. Leftists will justify this blasphemy in the name of creative freedom.

Degenerates have been given too much freedom. @CMOMaharashtra kindly take action ! pic.twitter.com/EJweINPZ2t
— BALA (@erbmjha) February 3, 2024

The play by the Lalit Kala Kendra, officially called the Centre for Performing Arts, was reportedly based on the backstage banter of actors who perform various roles in 'Ramleela'^.

It has been reported that the functionaries of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and students of the Pune University's Lalit Kala Kendra got involved into a scuffle over the play staged on Friday evening.

Police arrest students, professor based on ABVP's FIR

Based on a complaint lodged by the ABVP functionary Harshvardhan Harpude, a case was registered under section 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, inspector Ankush Chintaman said.

The police have arrested Dr Pravin Bhole, the head of the department of the Lalit Kala Kendra, and students Bhavesh Patil, Jay Pednekar, Prathamesh Sawant, Rishikesh Dalvi and Yash Chikhle, he said.